Who'd a thunk it. A deep bore tunnel chosen by a deep bore.

I wonder if the deep bore tunnel was chosen because it was the least popular with the citizens of Seattle, That would not surprise me. Our idiot mayor has shown time after time that if we are for something he is against it and if we are against something, he is for it. Our incompetent governor gives me the same impression. Personally, I prefer the viaduct and think it should be rebuilt.

The people making the choice for tunnel have never been caught in a tunnel when a single-car accident has closed three out of four lanes. Or all four, both directions. These must be the same folks saying that surface roads can absorb the traffic if we just tear it down and do nothing. They don't drive the area, they don't know what it will do to the through-flow. It's infuriating. We should rebuild it and never mind pleasing the real estate owners who line the waterfront to the detriment of the thousands of cars a day that use the viaduct to get to and from work and home.

I think the decision is terrible and will be a severe loss to the citizens of the city and state who commute through the city. There are a very few special interests who have pushed their own agenda here versus the interests of the people at large. Where else can people see the beauty of the Sound, the mountains and the waterfront in the city of Seattle, apart from buying an outrageously expensive piece of real estate? Now the view will only belong to a very few who have the money to afford it. The citizens lose an intangible and charming aspect of our beautiful city, and access to appreciating it with this choice. No one enjoys the view or the air in a tunnel.

I absolutely think a deep bore tunnel is the best decision for Seattle. I use the viaduct on a daily basis, and keeping traffic moving during the construction process is critical to the people of Seattle, and the Port of Seattle. With a tunnel the existing viaduct can remain in place while the new tunnel is being constructed. This will be best for the city in the long run, and the price of the tunnel is virtually the same as a new viaduct. The funding is there, lets get digging.

I prefer the tunnel. Not sure if Emma has been on the viaduct during an accident or not?? If I recall the "through-flow" on the viaduct when I have been stuck during a fender bender has been quite slow...sort of like if it was a tunnel...I guess just wouldn't have that nice view to look at:)

This is a good option since the current viaduct can be used while the tunnel is being constructed.

Thank God Seattle is finally investing in its City.
Hopefully this will end our history of cheap/temporary structures--King Dome, Key Arena. We have no civic outdoor forum, few city parks--we are overdue for some civic investment--a native Portlander, I am tired of Seattle playing second-fiddle to Portland's civic amenities. We need this investment in our civic character--we lost our civic space to Nordstrom in the 80's and I still refuse to patronize them...and they closed Pine St. to boot.
Let's do it, it's time for CHANGE.

The day the viaduct is torn down will be a great day for Seattle. The trade off between 60 second view of the skyline while driving the viaduct and the beauty of a city that is connected to its waterfront is not something we should pass up.
Finally, our politicians have made a decision the WILL have positive impact on the region. In the future we will wonder why the viaduct was not taken down sooner. We need to proceed on this issue before the old thing falls.

This is a horrible decision; a true disservice to the citizens.

Not only will the "little people", the workers and the tourists now be unable to see the Sound, the boats and the mountains, the only thing we will see is a big pipe!

I am stunned. Bad, bad choice.

The tunnel option is announced on the same day we see stories of major flooding. What happens to the tunnel when an earthquake hits and water comes pouring in. Wouldn't want to be in there.

The surface option makes more sense. Just have four stoplights and build pedestrian overpass bridges to the waterfront.

A tunnel filled with water and collapsing earth on top equals major damage all along 1st Ave.

WOW!! I am impressed!! We are in a recession and they chose to spend more money on the most expensive option available especially with two lanes in each direction instead of four. Lets not forget that the Kingdome, Key Arena and the non-existent new monorail are still being paid for as well. Thanks for spending our tax money on your own agenda's!! The Gregoire / Nichols throwing money in a hole tunnel! Seattle’s BIG DIG, we saw how well it went in Boston!!

I can't wait till that big ugly thing comes crashing down. Tunnel is the best way to hide the traffic noise and free up more downtown waterfront. Besides tunnels are fun and cool. Where can I bringe my shovle to get this tunnel started now? Next lets bury I5 and I405 and make parks on top. Look at what Mercer Island looks like with its lids, too cool. Stop whining about the cost and think about all the jobs a 10+ year project will create. Might need it if Boeing goes to a cheaper state of employment where folks don't stike when their panties get in a bunch over nothing. Now where can I start digging?????

I can't wait till that big ugly thing comes crashing down. Tunnel is the best way to hide the traffic noise and free up more downtown waterfront. Besides tunnels are fun and cool. Where can I bringe my shovle to get this tunnel started now? Next lets bury I5 and I405 and make parks on top. Look at what Mercer Island looks like with its lids, too cool. Stop whining about the cost and think about all the jobs a 10+ year project will create. Might need it if Boeing goes to a cheaper state of employment where folks don't stike when their panties get in a bunch over nothing. Now where can I start digging?????

I can't wait till that big ugly thing comes crashing down. Tunnel is the best way to hide the traffic noise and free up more downtown waterfront. Besides tunnels are fun and cool. Where can I bringe my shovle to get this tunnel started now? Next lets bury I5 and I405 and make parks on top. Look at what Mercer Island looks like with its lids, too cool. Stop whining about the cost and think about all the jobs a 10+ year project will create. Might need it if Boeing goes to a cheaper state of employment where folks don't stike when their panties get in a bunch over nothing. Now where can I start digging?????

The trip down the viaduct is one of the best views in town. I will miss it. But the bigger problem is cutting the lanes down to two each way. Most cities make bigger roads for the future, or better plans to move traffic, not go in reverse. This is the latest in incompetent DOT management for our area.

Take I-405 for instance. Almost nothing has been done in almost 10 years to accommodate the need. Planners here need to take a look at downtown San Antonio or Austin. They use elevated express lanes with fewer exits to accommodate thru traffic. People who need to exit in the downtown area drive on the lower highway and take the existing exits. There is plenty of room for this on the east side. Three lanes can easily fit on top of one pillar/column which has a minimal footprint. The pillars are spaced frequently enough to handle the load.

I hope that in the future, officials in the Seattle area examine the successes and failures of other cities worldwide. THEN come up with a plan that exceeds the expectations of the public.

Isn't there a bore drill that can make a hole big enough for three lanes each way?

The Mayor of Seattle may have won by getting his tunnel and the hopes of a new park along the waterfront. He at least thinks he has won. The tunnel is a good idea only in the fact that the viaduct can remain in operation during construction.

The new tunnel idea restricts traffic to only two lanes in each direction - bad idea. This road provides through service to commuters as well as commercial traffic and the tunnel as proposed will restrict and limit the number of vehicles that can use the road.

Many types of materials will not be allowed through the tunnel including gas delivery which will either put these deliveries on the city streets or on I-5 which is already packed.

The cost as proposed is just for the making of the tunnel. It does not include the cost of the park, of the additional bus lines and equipment and employees, the cost of the Mercer St mess, and it does not include the day to day operation of the cost of a tunnel in electricity to run exhaust fans, lights, water pumps, etc.

The tax payers of the state, city and county deserve more honest proposals than they are getting from our politicians.

Yes, we do need to do something but is this the best for the majority? I do not think so.

Please google "big dig" boston. This 3.5 mile tummel started out at $2.8 billion and ended up at $14.6 billion. Large sections of concrete fell after the tunnel was open killing motorists.

In Seattle, are they going to drill the new tunnel above or below the 100 year old Amtrack train tunnel that goes from King Street station to Peir 68?

SEATTLE - Sound Transit’s new commuter train is now rolling north after launching a new Seattle to Everett route. But the KING 5 Investigators have discovered what may be the “weak link” in the line - a problem hidden hundreds of feet beneath downtown Seattle.

After years of negotiation, Sound Transit has struck a quarter billion dollar agreement with Burlington Northern to use its existing tracks. Part of the tracks includes the section where the train disappears into blackness of the Great Northern Tunnel.

The 100-year-old tunnel runs beneath Seattle and has some experts fearing it could spell trouble down the line.

When Sound Transit first talked about using the Great Northern Tunnel in 1998, the Seattle Fire Department ran a series of smoke drills inside.

Those tests confirmed the fire department’s worst fears: Responding to an accident or fire inside the mile-long tunnel would be difficult, if not impossible.

The century-old tunnel is grand-fathered out of the codes that regulate most train tunnels in the United States. It has no emergency exits, no ventilation system, or lighting.

“It\'s a very crowded tunnel - two tracks and a little bit of room in the middle,” said Chief Gregory Dean, Seattle Fire Marshall.

About the tunnel, I have some worries.
1. What will happen when there is a big earthquake?
2. What will happen when there is a collision or a health emergency?
3. Where will the car exhaust go?

As a resident of the Seattle waterfront, I am ecstatic over the decision announced today. The deep bore tunnel option is the only choice that does not severely impact the quality of life of the Seattle residents who have chosen to live near the viaduct.

So, how much of the financial burden for the Alaskan Way viaduct/ tunnel project will be born by the residents of Central and Eastern Washington? Are some of the poorest counties in the state again going to be billed for King County's upgrades, even though we have no say in how that money is being spent?

Wow,,,,I wonder if they have noticed we are in a terrible budget crunch? Oops I forgot that does not matter to our leaders.....just raise taxes since that is a never ending stream of $$$$

Well, it isn't like the tunnel is going to be below the water level or in a region full of earthquake faults...(tic)
Government will hold their hands over their ears and yells "la la la la la la" until they are completed with their mistake. The local flooding is due to the fact that everything is built on flood plains that are many thousands of years old. Just because they have been lucky for a long time doesn't mean it will last forever. The tunnel will fail eventually, and the city of Seattle will be culpable for every one of the thousands of deaths. Finally, the tunnel should be financed with money strictly from taxes from within the city itself, along with redirecting money from elder care and maternity care. Ya think?
You realize that they can shore up and repair the beautiful viaduct without ever closing it and for a fraction of the cost. I won't bother repeating the definition of insanity, you are experiencing it.

Is this going to be a toll tunnel, or is it just non Seattle folks that have to pay their own way? The Tacoma Narrows bridge is toll, so make Seattle pay it's own way, too. I've lived in WA for almost 20 years, and never been on that viaduct, why should I pay for it? I've had to pay tons of times to cross the Tacoma narrows.

Sorry .. I had to get myself up from the floor laughing when I read that someone wrote "repair the beautiful viaduct" ... have you actually seen that thing in person? Its so ugly that Frank Lloyd Wright still cries in his grave. Oh .. there are tons of tunnels in the world ... they don't flood .. thats called engineering.

I'm glad they choose the tunnel and not another monster

HOORAY for the tunnel. it's about time. i'm so glad our ELECTED city officials chose the right option for the FUTURE of our beautiful city.